Lot Essay
The inspiration for this ewer and salver comes from the Bohemian legend of nymphs who emerge from the water and then dance in rings in the moonlight to welcome the spring. The initial design for 'La Danse des Willis' was completed in 1855 just before Morel-Ladeuil left France to work in England. Leonard Morel-Ladeuil won great acclaim at the court of Napoleon III and was lured to England by the firm of Elkington and Company for whom he designed many Exhibition pieces. He is perhaps best known for his rendering of 'The Milton Shield' and his phenomenal table 'Sleep' which was highly acclaimed at the Great Exhibition of 1862. The table was then acquired by the city of Birmingham as a marriage present to the Prince and Princess of Wales and remains in the Queen's collection.